Fr. James Martin shares his five insights from the synod’s final document, just approved by Pope Francis and published by the Vatican.
Bishops
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
To teach faith and morals in a diverse church, we must recognize the doctrinal authority of bishops’ conferences
At a time when the church’s doctrinal teachings on faith and morals are questioned everywhere, the relevance of such teachings to the believers brought up in diverse contexts is of utmost importance.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Inside the contentious synod meeting on women deacons
The “Inside the Vatican” team is together in Rome—live and in person—for the Synod on Synodality’s final week. They cover last week’s most contentious story: the meeting with Study Group 5, which is considering ways to increase participation for women in the Church, including the possibility of women deacons.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: How synodal is the U.S. church?
A ‘Jesuitical’ conversation with Michael Sean Winters of the National Catholic Reporter about the ways the synod is (and isn’t) taking root in the U.S. church
Posted inFaith, News
Synod discusses what giving ‘genuine doctrinal authority’ to bishops’ conferences would mean
Recognizing the doctrinal authority of bishops’ conferences does not mean allowing them to reject the teaching authority of the pope, said the head of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
The synod is discussing the teaching authority of bishops’ conferences. It’s not a new debate.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, didn’t think much of bishops’ conferences. Among those who disagreed with the cardinal was Francis A. Sullivan, S.J.
Posted inFaith, Vantage Point
What authority do bishops’ conferences have on faith and morals?
The Synod on Synodality has raised the question of the role and authority of bishops’ conferences. In 1998, another moment when the question gained prominence, a leading authority on ecclesiology weighed in.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican and China renew agreement on naming bishops for four more years
The Vatican and the Chinese government are renewing their agreement on the appointment of bishops for four years.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
How authority is being reimagined at the synod
Producer Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell discuss the second half of the synod, which brings with it concerns with synod methodology and the future of ordained ministry.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
What is (and isn’t) the role of bishops in a synodal church?
While it might not generate as many headlines as women deacons or L.G.B.T. Catholics, the role of the bishops has emerged as one of the most prominent—and controversial—topics of the Synod on Synodality.